I have a bad feeling we lose at Notre Dame, and against Alabama. We are due to lose to Notre Dame at some point after the last 3 years. I think we drop two big 10 games along the way but win the tiebreaker and end up winning the Big Ten title after beating Wisconsin. We lose to USC in Rose Bowl. I wouldn't be surprised if we ended up better than this, and would be surprised if we end up much worse.

The bottom line is the schedule is brutal. I think we will probably be better than last year but with a worse record. I am very confident we beat Sparty in Ann Arbor.

I have Michigan going 10-3. Lose the bookends and lose to Nebraska in a weird game away from home. MSU also loses 2 in conference (one to us and one to Ohio) but we go to the B1G Championship game due to the tie breaker. Beat Wisconsin in a not-so-close game.

But none spelled it out as clearly as you have, so for anyone who has us winning the tie-breaker vs. MSU (possible, not questioning) who do you all have Nebraska losing to? Do they lose 3 times in conference, or is there some long 3 way tiebreaker you think we win if we're not beating Nebraska? I can see OSU and MSU which would set up a three way tie...do they blow one more?

(Came SO close to typing " which would set up a three way...do they blow one more?")

I predict UM goes 9-3, with the losses coming against Alabama, Nebraska, and SUNO-Columbus. But I do think UM will qualify for the B1G title game and knock off Wisconsin to earn a Rose Bowl trip. I don't like our chances against either USC or Oregon though, so that would make for, overall, a deceptively respectable 10-4 record.

10-2. What have Nebraska (especially considering their QB is returning) or ND (considering theirs isn't) done to scare the shit out of everyone? I definitely get Bama, ohio, and MSU, but not Nebraska and ND.

Can't see a loss vs MSU. Last year MSU was better than this year, and that was when Borges was very early in assessing how to use Denard in the BiG. Cousins was a tremendous QB and is now gone. And we have them at home. And it's our most important game of the year.

I think Denard somehow manages another miracle to pull off the upset against Alabama and we ride the momentum for a while.

Then later in the season we come back to reality with a tough road loss at Nebraska and then a mildly shocking upset loss to the Golden Gophers that will leave M fans nostalgic for the comfy confines of the Metrodome. This reminds me of some of the seasons of yore when the first loss always seemed to be followed by a second the next week while we were still in some kind of shock.

Back to the Citrus bowl where we manage to stuff an SEC team and then we are left wondering what might have been if only for those that stupid loss (and conveniently forgetting that we got some rather lucky breaks in the Alabama & Illinois wins.)

We will go 10-2. Bama is the only team on our schedule that is better than we are, but since even the best teams don't win every game they should, I always move one back to the center on any attempt to make game-by-game predictions.

Michigan State - MSU is not leaving Ann Arbor with a win this year. 6-1, UM back in the top 10

@Nebraska - A nailbiter against another 6-1 Nebraska team. Toss up on the last drive or long field goal for the win. If the Huskers have improved significantly from last year, we won't win this game in Lincoln. 6-2

@Minnesota - Minnesota gets a few points on the board this time. 7-2

Northwestern - Blue > Purple. 8-2

Iowa - By this time, Iowa will be using their waterboys as RBs. Beat them without controversy at home. 9-2

@Mercy College of Northwest Ohio - Urban doesn't save you this year. Sorry Bucks. If we win, we hope Nebraska loses so we can make the title game. 10-2

'Bama is very tough, and the only team we will face that has more talent, but I have faith. I do not understand all the love for Nebraska & ND! Is this the Big Red that lost its best players off of an average defense? That has a lame passing attack? I don't think they are a pushover, but all these Michigan fans predicting a loss to them ...? And ND? Will their defense be improved? I know those are road games, but I am just not seeing it. Little Bro will be better than both.

And stop dissing our D line! Thisismichiganfergodsakes and our line will be fine! Look for BWC to have his own signature picture, a-la Alan Branch, leaving some QB prone and broken.

I know the schedule is difficult. Good teams. Tough road games. But if this were 10 years ago we would expect to win! Go Blue!!!!

Win the Alabama game: 11-1. The team will be riding a ridiculously high wave of momentum if they pull this off. Even if we beat Alabama, I do think we will trip up somewhere, maybe Nebraska or (sigh) Ohio. But even at 1 loss, as long as there aren't two other undefeated teams, we will be in the national title hunt. A victory over Alabama sees to that.

Lose the Alabama game: 8-4. This is the more likely scenario in my opinion, but I hope and pray that Michigan will prove me wrong. I think the other three losses will be to Nebraska, either MSU/Ohio, and one game that Michigan shouldn't lose but does, like Air Force or Purdue. That triple option is tricky, especially if you're still suffering a hangover from Alabama.

I agree that Nebraska is not that good. However, the game is in Lincoln and at night. Those two factors will be enough for the Cornshuckers to eek out a win over a better UM team. UNL wins 28-24.

Having said all that, of the four losses I have predicted for UM in 2012 (Bama, ND, UNL and OSU), I think the Nebraska game is the one that might actually swing in UM's favor leaving UM with only three losses instead of four.

After a close loss to Alabama to open the season we run the table and face an udefeated (one of only two left at the time the other being Alabama) Wisconsin team in the B1G championship game where we win by 2+ touchdowns

Am I reading "way" too between the lines when I notice that most final score predictions by "experts" have Meechigan scoring more points than Bama allowed in any game last year? (24ish). Also the only team to break 20 on Bama was a dual threat QB FCS team, Georgia Southern. Just sayin'

I wanna get way out on the limb and pick Purdue to represent the Leader's Division in the BTTG...But I'm not sure I can get there. Regardless, the Badgers are eminently beatable in 2012, as their Terrapin free agent can't hold their Wolfpack free agent's jock.

You guys are a hard one to peg this year. I can honestly see you guys going anywhere from 12-2 to 7-6. The only loss I feel I can absolutely peg is Alabama. I really have no clue how your D will be and if your OL will be as good as last year. Denard will have a good season no matter what, but if he has the same amount of interceptions as he did a year ago, I see your record dropping a couple games.